Written Answers Monday 12 March 2007

Scottish Executive

Agriculture

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Environment and Rural Development intends to reply further to my letter of 18 January 2007 (ref.2006/0040838) regarding the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board.

Ross Finnie: I replied on 12 March 2007.

Agriculture

Alasdair Morgan (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many appeals have been submitted to Environment and Rural Affairs Department (SEERAD) under the EU Agricultural Subsidies Appeals procedure since its introduction, broken down by appeal stage and SEERAD area office, indicating the number with (a) successful and (b) unsuccessful outcomes.

Ross Finnie: The EU Agricultural Subsidies Appeals procedure became operational in November 2000. The information requested is set out in the following tables for all cases determined. The successful appeals include those upheld by the panel and also cases where the appeal was resolved in favour of the producer prior to the panel review.

  Stage 1 Appeals

  

 Area Office
 Received
 Successful
 Unsuccessful


 Ayr
 128
 37
 82


 Benbecula
 27
 3
 23


 Dumfries
 125
 36
 79


 Elgin
 33
 7
 24


 Galashiels
 98
 30
 64


 Hamilton
 88
 21
 62


 Inverness
 99
 29
 65


 Inverurie
 221
 55
 154


 Kirkwall
 45
 14
 31


 Lairg
 21
 5
 15


 Lerwick
 29
 7
 23


 Oban
 31
 13
 18


 Perth
 157
 45
 102


 Portree
 12
 1
 8


 Stornoway
 11
 1
 9


 Thurso
 46
 9
 34


 Total
 1,171
 313
 793



  Stage 2 Appeals

  

 Area Office
 Received
 Successful
 Unsuccessful


 Ayr
 20
 3
 7


 Benbecula
 3
 0
 1


 Dumfries
 17
 3
 6


 Elgin
 8
 2
 5


 Galashiels
 17
 3
 10


 Hamilton
 12
 1
 9


 Inverness
 14
 1
 7


 Inverurie
 31
 1
 15


 Kirkwall
 5
 0
 4


 Lairg
 2
 0
 0


 Lerwick
 7
 1
 4


 Oban
 8
 0
 6


 Perth
 24
 1
 18


 Portree
 1
 0
 1


 Stornoway
 0
 0
 0


 Thurso
 1
 1
 2


 Total
 170
 17
 95



  Stage 1 Appeals Challenge/National Reserve Appeals**

  

 Area Office
 Received
 Successful
 Unsuccessful


 Ayr
 7
 3
 41


 Benbecula
 47
 1
 6


 Dumfries
 41
 2
 35


 Elgin
 7
 2
 7


 Galashiels
 50
 3
 41


 Hamilton
 12
 3
 10


 Inverness
 16
 1
 14


 Inverurie
 83
 10
 72


 Kirkwall
 16
 0
 14


 Lairg
 6
 1
 4


 Lerwick
 5
 0
 5


 Oban
 11
 1
 5


 Perth
 38
 0
 30


 Portree
 6
 1
 4


 Stornoway
 9
 2
 7


 Thurso
 15
 2
 12


 Total
 369
 32
 307



  Stage 2 Appeals Challenge/National Reserve Appeals**

  

 Area Office
 Received
 Successful*
 Unsuccessful*


 Ayr
 6
 
 


 Benbecula
 
 
 


 Dumfries
 4
 
 


 Elgin
 2
 
 


 Galashiels
 13
 
 


 Hamilton
 3
 
 


 Inverness
 2
 
 


 Inverurie
 18
 
 


 Kirkwall
 6
 
 


 Lairg
 1
 
 


 Lerwick
 
 
 


 Oban
 3
 
 


 Perth
 8
 
 


 Portree
 
 
 


 Stornoway
 
 
 


 Thurso
 4
 
 


 Total
 70
 
 



  Notes:

  **Arising from the reform of CAP in 2005

  *36 cases have been reviewed with recommendations being prepared for minister.

  Scottish Land Court Cases

  

 Area Office
 Received
 Successful
 Unsuccessful


 Ayr
 
 
 


 Benbecula
 
 
 


 Dumfries
 2
 
 


 Elgin
 1
 1
 


 Galashiels
 4
 1
 


 Hamilton
 1
 
 


 Inverness
 1
 
 


 Inverurie
 3
 
 1


 Kirkwall
 1
 
 


 Lairg
 
 
 


 Lerwick
 
 
 


 Oban
 1
 
 


 Perth
 2
 
 2


 Portree
 
 
 


 Stornoway
 
 
 


 Thurso
 2
 
 


 Total
 18
 2
 3

Agriculture

Alasdair Morgan (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied that the EU Agricultural Subsidies Appeals procedure provides a fair route for farmers to attempt to overturn decisions made by the Environment and Rural Affairs Department (SEERAD) that they do not consider to be justified.

Ross Finnie: The EU Agricultural Subsidies appeals procedure has been in operation since November 2000. It has the power to review decisions made by SEERAD in relation to the refusal, recovery and reduction of a producer’s EU subsidy claim ensuring that SEERAD has been objective and applied the subsidy scheme rule correctly.

  It does not have the power to change or amend the EU rules within which the schemes operate. Scheme rules tend to be tightly drawn and in practice the panel is not able to apply discretion. Against those legal constraints I am satisfied that the appeals panel operates fairly and objectively within its remit.

Alcohol Misuse

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many alcohol-related deaths there were in each of the last five years, broken down by (a) parliamentary constituency and (b) local authority area.

George Lyon: The information requested is presented in the following tables.

  (a) Alcohol-Related Deaths1 by Parliamentary Constituency, 2001-05

  

 
 2001
 2002
 2003
 2004
 2005


 Scotland
 1,398
 1,487
 1,525
 1,478
 1,513


 Aberdeen Central
 24
 19
 13
 14
 23


 Aberdeen North
 13
 11
 8
 11
 10


 Aberdeen South
 15
 15
 15
 14
 17


 Airdrie and Shotts
 20
 26
 24
 29
 26


 Angus
 15
 16
 19
 21
 17


 Argyll and Bute
 23
 21
 24
 14
 19


 Ayr
 17
 22
 29
 23
 14


 Banff and Buchan
 11
 10
 15
 13
 14


 Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
 13
 17
 5
 12
 15


 Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
 16
 20
 21
 14
 20


 Central Fife
 14
 17
 18
 17
 11


 Clydebank and Milngavie
 26
 31
 29
 26
 24


 Clydesdale
 15
 16
 22
 20
 24


 Coatbridge and Chryston
 17
 23
 24
 17
 21


 Cumbernauld and Kilsyth
 14
 8
 19
 10
 22


 Cunninghame North
 18
 29
 24
 26
 18


 Cunninghame South
 17
 19
 19
 20
 18


 Dumbarton
 15
 24
 29
 24
 24


 Dumfries
 11
 19
 14
 17
 17


 Dundee East
 23
 21
 37
 36
 24


 Dundee West
 25
 29
 27
 32
 30


 Dunfermline East
 12
 17
 13
 11
 17


 Dunfermline West
 11
 12
 10
 12
 17


 East Kilbride
 18
 16
 20
 25
 21


 East Lothian
 13
 18
 19
 9
 20


 Eastwood
 17
 21
 21
 16
 21


 Edinburgh Central
 29
 25
 21
 21
 24


 Edinburgh East and Musselburgh
 30
 28
 32
 29
 31


 Edinburgh North and Leith
 29
 25
 17
 29
 35


 Edinburgh Pentlands
 14
 16
 16
 12
 14


 Edinburgh South
 16
 11
 15
 13
 17


 Edinburgh West
 16
 13
 19
 17
 20


 Falkirk East
 17
 14
 12
 19
 12


 Falkirk West
 21
 19
 21
 18
 19


 Galloway and Upper Nithsdale
 12
 6
 17
 9
 14


 Glasgow Anniesland
 31
 29
 38
 32
 33


 Glasgow Baillieston
 32
 28
 28
 30
 21


 Glasgow Cathcart
 17
 15
 30
 21
 23


 Glasgow Govan
 38
 31
 27
 37
 30


 Glasgow Kelvin
 31
 36
 24
 26
 33


 Glasgow Maryhill
 38
 34
 42
 31
 33


 Glasgow Pollock
 25
 34
 38
 39
 28


 Glasgow Rutherglen
 17
 23
 28
 25
 32


 Glasgow Shettleston
 55
 63
 49
 55
 47


 Glasgow Springburn
 48
 46
 49
 35
 39


 Gordon
 17
 4
 10
 10
 7


 Greenock and Inverclyde
 46
 39
 38
 27
 21


 Hamilton North and Bellshill
 20
 22
 21
 29
 19



  Note: 1. ICD10 codes: F10, G31.2, G62.1, I42.6, K29.2, K70, K73, K74 (excluding K74.3-K74.5), K86.0, X45, X65, Y15.

  (b) Alcohol-Related Deaths1 by Council Area, 2001-05

  

 
 2001
 2002
 2003
 2004
 2005


 Scotland
 1,398
 1,487
 1,525
 1,478
 1,513


 Aberdeen City
 52
 45
 36
 39
 50


 Aberdeenshire
 27
 23
 31
 29
 27


 Angus
 19
 25
 27
 27
 29


 Argyll and Bute
 26
 24
 28
 20
 24


 Clackmannanshire
 10
 11
 9
 13
 10


 Dumfries and Galloway
 23
 25
 31
 26
 31


 Dundee City
 48
 50
 64
 68
 54


 East Ayrshire
 30
 29
 30
 22
 29


 East Dunbartonshire
 21
 20
 21
 21
 22


 East Lothian
 15
 20
 25
 13
 22


 East Renfrewshire
 17
 21
 21
 16
 21


 Edinburgh, City of
 132
 116
 114
 117
 139


 Eilean Siar
 3
 11
 13
 12
 12


 Falkirk
 38
 33
 33
 37
 31


 Fife
 57
 75
 63
 61
 76


 Glasgow City
 318
 319
 331
 308
 291


 Highland
 52
 66
 58
 59
 62


 Inverclyde
 55
 51
 43
 34
 31


 Midlothian
 13
 20
 16
 26
 20


 Moray
 20
 17
 28
 28
 20


 North Ayrshire
 35
 48
 43
 46
 36


 North Lanarkshire
 87
 109
 105
 97
 115


 Orkney Islands
 10
 4
 7
 7
 3


 Perth and Kinross
 25
 25
 34
 33
 26


 Renfrewshire
 62
 64
 61
 59
 90


 Scottish Borders
 13
 19
 12
 22
 13


 Shetland Islands
 5
 1
 3
 6
 6


 South Ayrshire
 26
 29
 36
 32
 22


 South Lanarkshire
 69
 85
 84
 100
 102


 Stirling
 24
 18
 22
 17
 18


 West Dunbartonshire
 35
 46
 47
 41
 41


 West Lothian
 31
 38
 49
 42
 40



  Note: 1 ICD10 codes: F10, G31.2, G62.1, I42.6, K29.2, K70, K73, K74 (excluding K74.3-K74.5), K86.0, X45, X65, Y15

Antisocial Behaviour

Dr Sylvia Jackson (Stirling) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what dedicated funding has been made available to Stirling Council to tackle antisocial behaviour in each year since 2003.

Johann Lamont: Dedicated funding has been made available to local authorities to tackle antisocial behaviour since 2004-05, following the introduction of the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004. The funding made available to Stirling Council is detailed in the following table.

  

 Local Authority
 2004-05
 2005-06
 2006-07
 2007-08
 Total (£)


 Stirling
 369,000
 409,400
 480,000
 519,000
 1,777,400

Breastfeeding

Dr Sylvia Jackson (Stirling) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of mothers in the NHS Forth Valley area were recorded at their six to eight week review as breastfeeding in each year since 1999.

Lewis Macdonald: The information requested is shown in the following table:

  NHS Forth Valley – Breastfeeding at the 6-8 Week Review by Year of Birth:

  

 
 1999
 2000
 2001
 2002
 2003
 2004
 2005


 No of Reviews1
 2,782
 2,701
 2,523
 2,585
 2,636
 2,863
 2,793


 %age Breastfed2
 30.8
 32.0
 31.6
 32.3
 32.5
 30.8
 34.2



  Notes:

  1. Excludes reviews where breastfeeding information is not valid.

  2. Exclusively breastfed or fed mixed breast and bottle.

British Sign Language

Donald Gorrie (Central Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to recruit and train more teachers of the deaf.

Robert Brown: The Scottish Executive is committed to having 53,000 full-time teachers in our schools by September 2007.

  The Requirements for Teachers (Scotland) Regulations 2005 (Scottish Statutory Instrument 2005/355) require that where an education authority employs a teacher wholly or mainly to teach pupils who are hearing impaired then that teacher must possess an appropriate qualification to teach such pupils. Guidance on appropriate qualifications was issued to local authorities on 30 January 2007.

British Sign Language

Donald Gorrie (Central Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to help to develop a curriculum for users of British Sign Language.

Robert Brown: The proposals being developed under A Curriculum for Excellence place particular emphasis on the importance of language and literacy across the whole curriculum. Experiences and outcomes will be developed to enable learning in the language a young person needs, whether that is English, Gaelic, or the means of communication which enables them to communicate most effectively. The plans are based on making the curriculum available to all.

British Sign Language

Donald Gorrie (Central Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports the policy of regarding the 70,000 deaf people who use British Sign Language as belonging to a different language and cultural group, rather than as having a disability or communication impairment.

Rhona Brankin: The Scottish Executive supports the policy of regarding deaf people who use British Sign Language (BSL) as belonging to a different language and cultural group. This is acknowledged in our draft Language Strategy, published for consultation on 5 February 2007. The draft Strategy states that BSL is a real, full and living language that is part of our rich cultural heritage.

  We also recognise that the definition of disability in the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 may include deaf people. Our policies in relation to disability are therefore inclusive of BSL users and this approach is supported by our BSL and Linguistic Access Working Group which includes representatives from deaf organisations.

Cancer

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of women non-urgently referred by their GP with a suspected breast condition were subsequently diagnosed with breast cancer in the latest period for which figures are available.

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of patients urgently referred by their GP with suspected cancer were subsequently diagnosed with cancer in the latest period for which figures are available.

Mr Andy Kerr: The information requested is not available centrally.

Careers Service

Ms Rosemary Byrne (South of Scotland) (Sol): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to reorganise Careers Scotland offices.

Nicol Stephen: The Scottish Executive has no plans to reorganise Careers Scotland offices.

Careers Service

Ms Rosemary Byrne (South of Scotland) (Sol): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to relocate Careers Scotland local offices.

Nicol Stephen: The Scottish Executive has no plans to relocate Careers Scotland local offices.

Careers Service

Ms Rosemary Byrne (South of Scotland) (Sol): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to centralise Careers Scotland services.

Nicol Stephen: The Scottish Executive has no plans to centralise Careers Scotland services.

Careers Service

Ms Rosemary Byrne (South of Scotland) (Sol): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to reduce Careers Scotland outreach services.

Nicol Stephen: The Scottish Executive has no plans to reduce Careers Scotland outreach services.

Children

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how it meets its obligations under the requirements of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), with specific reference to Article 12.

Robert Brown: The Scottish Executive is committed to implementing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). The UNCRC is not directly enforceable but the Scottish Executive looks to reflect its provisions wherever possible in the development of policy, practice and legislation.

  There are a number of relevant examples in relation to UNCRC Article 12, which confers the right on children to express their views on matters affecting them and for those views to be given due consideration.

  For example, sections 6 and 17 of the Children (S) Act 1995 require agencies in taking decisions or actions that impact on children in need or at risk to have regard so far as practicable to the views of affected children, taking account of age and maturity. The Vulnerable Witnesses (Scotland) Act 2004 requires courts to ascertain the views of children about the way in which they wish to give evidence as witnesses in court proceedings.

  We are consulting on the draft Children’s Services (Scotland) Bill, section 3 of which deals with ascertaining, recording and considering children’s views. The consultation - accessible at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/12/18140606/0 - closes on 31 March 2007.

Credit Unions

Trish Godman (West Renfrewshire) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions it has had with UK ministers anent the encouragement and expansion of community-based credit unions in Scotland.

Rhona Brankin: We are in regular contact with the UK government to ensure Scotland benefits from UK government activity in respect of the credit union movement. Most recently liaison with UK Departments has focused on reviewing credit union legislation and the operation of the Growth Fund administered by the Department for Work and Pensions. The Executive’s own programmes, including the Assistance Fund and the Service of General Economic Interest approval scheme and associated funding, also encourage and support Scottish credit unions.

Dentistry

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-20486 by Lewis Macdonald on 26 September 2006, what progress is being made in establishing a course in clinical dental technology at a dental training institution; when such a course might begin, and what video conferencing provision will be made to enable those who live far from the institution to participate in the course.

Lewis Macdonald: NHS Education for Scotland (NES) have been asked to develop, with the further and higher education sector, a suitable clinical dental technology training course for denturists. NES have been raising awareness of the potential for such a course and inviting registrations of interest in order to gauge likely demand. One potential training provider has been identified and discussions are continuing on how and when this training might be delivered. I cannot pre-empt the outcome of those discussions but it is possible that a course might be available during 2007. NES and any course provider will consider how best to ensure such a course is accessible to applicants from throughout Scotland.

Drug Misuse

Ms Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what investigations have been carried out into methadone-related deaths in each year since 1990.

Cathy Jamieson: There have been two confidential enquiries into methadone related deaths published since 1990. The National Confidential Enquiry into Methadone Related Deaths (Scotland) 2000 and The National Confidential Enquiry into Methadone Related Deaths (Scotland) 2001. In addition, the National Investigation into Drug-related Deaths in Scotland, 2003 also provided information on deaths where methadone was a factor.

Drug Misuse

Ms Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people whose deaths were methadone-related in 2003 received treatment in line with the approach in Drug Misuse and Dependence - Guidelines on Clinical Management.

Cathy Jamieson: This information is not held centrally.

Drug Misuse

Ms Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any national guidelines for the prescription of methadone and whether these are given to all GPs or GP practices.

Mr Andy Kerr: The UK guidelines Drug Misuse and Dependence – Guidelines on Clinical Management , published in 1999, contain guidance for clinicians on the prescription of substitute medication such as methadone. The guidelines are for all clinicians, including GPs.

  As part of their continuing professional development, GPs are expected to keep up-to-date with the latest developments in clinical practice, including the latest guidelines which relate to their areas of clinical practice.

Drug Misuse

Ms Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to ensure that all GPs have been made aware of the guidelines contained in Drug Misuse and Dependence – Guidelines on Clinical Management .

Mr Andy Kerr: In Scotland this is a matter for NHS boards who hold contracts with GP practices to provide primary care services. NHS boards may commission practices to provide an enhanced service for patients suffering from drug misuse under the terms of the general medical services contract and this would require the use of clinical guidelines such as the UK national guidelines Drug Misuse and Dependence – Guidelines on Clinical Management .

  In addition, as part of their continuing professional development, GPs are expected to keep up-to-date with the latest developments in clinical practice, including the latest guidelines which relate to their areas of clinical practice.

Education

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many vacancies there were for head teachers in each of the last five years, broken down by local authority.

Hugh Henry: Information on head teacher vacancies is not collected separately from deputy head vacancies. The following table shows vacancies (full-time equivalent) over three months for head teachers and deputy head teachers in each of the last five years, broken down by local authority (LA):

  

 
Primary(February)
Secondary(February)


 2002
 2003
 2004
 2005
 2006
 2002
 2003
 2004
 2005
 2006


 Aberdeen City
 0
 0
 0
 1
 0
 0
 1
 1
 0
 0


 Aberdeenshire
 0
 0
 4.2
 6.8
 0
 0
 0
 1
 1
 0


 Angus
 0
 0
 1
 0
 0
 2
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Argyll and Bute
 0
 0
 4
 0
 0
 0
 0
 1
 0
 1


 Clackmannanshire
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Dumfries and Galloway
 0
 0
 3
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Dundee City
 0
 0
 5
 5
 1
 0
 1
 3
 3
 0


 East Ayrshire
 0
 0
 0
 0
 1
 2
 0
 0
 0
 0


 East Dunbartonshire
 1
 0
 1
 1
 1
 0
 1
 0
 0
 0


 East Lothian
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 East Renfrewshire
 0
 0
 1
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Edinburgh, City of
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Eilean Siar
 0
 2
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Falkirk
 0
 0
 4
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Fife
 1
 1
 0
 6
 1
 0
 0
 0
 0
 4


 Glasgow City
 13
 25
 0
 7
 0
 2
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Highland
 4
 2
 2
 2
 3
 0
 0
 0
 1
 1


 Inverclyde
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Midlothian
 0
 0
 3
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Moray
 0
 0
 1
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 North Ayrshire
 0
 0
 4
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 North Lanarkshire
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 1
 0


 Orkney Islands
 
 0
 0
 0
 1
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Perth and Kinross
 0
 5
 0
 0
 0
 0
 1
 1
 0
 0


 Renfrewshire
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Scottish Borders
 1
 1
 0
 1
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Shetland Islands
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 South Ayrshire
 0
 2
 1
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 2


 South Lanarkshire
 0
 0
 0
 1
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Stirling
 2
 1
 0
 0
 1
 0
 1
 0
 0
 0


 West Dunbartonshire
 2
 2
 5
 1
 2
 1
 0
 1
 0
 0


 West Lothian
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Total Scotland
 24
 41
 35.2
 31.8
 11
 7
 5
 8
 6
 8


 Average number of vacancies per annum
 0.8
 1.3
 1.2
 1.0
 0.3
 0.2
 0.2
 0.3
 0.2
 0.3



  Notes:

  1. Information is from the teacher vacancies survey returned by LAs at February each year.

  2. Aberdeenshire data not available for 2002 and 2004.

  3. Vacancies over three months are taken as an indicator of long-term issues whereas total vacancies reported by LAs include normal turnover of staff.

Energy Efficiency

Nora Radcliffe (Gordon) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to promote better energy efficiency and encourage a greater uptake of microgeneration.

Nicol Stephen: I am pleased to announce the launch today of Achieving a Low Carbon Future, our first Energy Efficiency and Microgeneration Strategy for Scotland. This draft for consultation sets out the substantial steps that the Executive is already taking and our proposed way forward to ensure that energy efficiency and microgeneration make a significantly increased contribution to sustainable development, climate change and energy objectives. The document will be available online at: www.scotland.gov.uk/consultations from 12 noon today, Monday 12 March.

Fisheries

Trish Godman (West Renfrewshire) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether discussions have taken place with ministers and officials at the Ministry of Defence (MoD) anent the construction of a lightly-armed fisheries protection vessel under the aegis of the MoD which, when in service, would be operationally managed by the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency.

Ross Finnie: The Scottish Executive is not aware of any discussions having taken place on the subject.

Flooding

Dr Sylvia Jackson (Stirling) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what funds have been distributed by it in the last four years with respect to flood management schemes and associated projects, broken down by local authority area.

Sarah Boyack: The following table sets out the funds that have been distributed with respect to flood management schemes, broken down by local authority area, for the current and last three financial years. There are no projects associated with the flood management schemes beyond the funded schemes themselves.

  

 Local Authority Name
2003-04 
(£000)
2004-05 
(£000)
2005-06 
(£000)
2006-07 
(£000)


 Aberdeen City
 
 243
 
 


 Aberdeenshire
 33
 
 
 


 Argyll and Bute
 175
 589
 569
 


 Dumfries and Galloway
 
 384
 254
 20


 East Ayrshire
 2,132
 1,556
 1,486
 *2,680


 East Dunbartonshire
 
 
 1,970
 60


 Edinburgh City
 
 
 2,431
 *1,807


 Fife
 
 
 
 *966


 Glasgow City
 
 
 
 *2,127


 Inverclyde
 16
 
 
 


 Moray
 
 1,097
 479
 *528


 North Ayrshire
 275
 70
 
 


 Perth and Kinross
 1,714
 745
 
 1,092


 Renfrewshire
 70
 234
 
 


 South Lanarkshire
 
 
 
 *521


 West Lothian
 
 565
 
 203


 Total Grant Paid
 4,415
 5,483
 7189
 *10,004



  Note: *Includes expected grant claims still to be submitted by the local authority

Further and Higher Education

Dr Sylvia Jackson (Stirling) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many school leavers in the Stirling local authority area entered full-time higher or further education in each of the last three years for which figures are available, expressed also as a percentage of all school leavers in the area.

Hugh Henry: The figures requested are in the following table:

  Stirling:

  

 Year
 Number (percentage) of 
School Leavers 
Entering Full-Time Higher or Further Education
 Total Number of 
School Leavers 
in Stirling


 2003-04
 570 (54%)
 1,060


 2004-05
 508 (49%)
 1,046


 2005-06
 521 (51%)
 1,031

Higher Education

Dr Sylvia Jackson (Stirling) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the home local authority areas of Scottish students studying at the University of Stirling.

Nicol Stephen: The following table lists the home domicile of students studying at the University of Stirling in academic year 2005-06. This is the latest year for which information is available.

  Home Domicile of Students at University of Stirling 2005-06

  

 
 Postgraduate
 Undergraduate
 Total


 City of Aberdeen
 15
 30
 45


 Aberdeenshire
 25
 100
 125


 Angus
 15
 45
 60


 Argyll and Bute
 15
 110
 125


 Clackmannanshire
 45
 365
 410


 Dumfries and Galloway
 25
 130
 155


 City of Dundee
 20
 25
 45


 East Ayrshire
 25
 65
 90


 East Dunbartonshire
 25
 125
 150


 East Lothian
 10
 70
 80


 East Renfrewshire
 20
 55
 75


 City of Edinburgh
 80
 285
 360


 Falkirk
 75
 725
 805


 Fife
 65
 400
 465


 City of Glasgow
 110
 175
 285


 Highland
 25
 545
 570


 Inverclyde
 20
 20
 35


 Midlothian
 10
 40
 50


 Moray
 5
 125
 135


 North Ayrshire
 30
 75
 105


 North Lanarkshire
 75
 300
 375


 Orkney Islands
 5
 20
 25


 Perth and Kinross
 40
 185
 225


 Renfrewshire
 20
 80
 100


 Scottish Borders
 10
 125
 135


 Shetland Islands
 5
 30
 35


 South Ayrshire
 20
 70
 90


 South Lanarkshire
 40
 135
 180


 Stirling
 155
 595
 750


 West Dunbartonshire
 10
 40
 50


 West Lothian
 70
 265
 330


 Eilean Siar
 0
 115
 115


 Scotland region unknown
 50
 165
 215


 Total Scottish Domiciled
 1,160
 5,635
 6,795


 England
 140
 655
 795


 Wales
 5
 15
 25


 Northern Ireland
 15
 265
 280


 Channel Islands & Isle of Man
 5
 10
 15


 Total UK Domiciled
 1,325
 6,580
 7,910


 Other EU
 135
 190
 325


 Non EU Europe
 15
 30
 45


 Africa
 55
 10
 70


 Asia
 375
 60
 440


 Australasia
 0
 0
 5


 Middle East
 25
 5
 35


 North America
 45
 15
 55


 South America
 10
 0
 10


 Total
 1,980
 6,895
 8,885



  Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency.

  Note: All numbers have been rounded to the nearest 5.

Housing

Dr Sylvia Jackson (Stirling) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what funding has been made available for the provision of affordable housing in the Stirling parliamentary constituency in each year since 2003-04.

Rhona Brankin: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows;

  Funding for the provision of affordable housing in the Stirling parliamentary constituency in each year since 2003-04 is detailed as follows:

  

 Year
Total Amount1
(£ Million)


 2003-04
 4.227


 2004-05
 4.545


 2005-06
 3.438


 2006-072
 10.206


 Total 
 22.416



  Notes:

  1. Includes Community Ownership Programme Early Action Funding.

  2. Planned expenditure for 2006-07.

Housing

Chris Ballance (South of Scotland) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive what the impact on school population is estimated to be per 100 houses of new housing developments.

Hugh Henry: The relationship between new housing developments and school populations is best assessed locally and will be likely to vary according to the nature and location of the developments.

Housing

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what procedures it has in place for monitoring and inspecting Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) and its activities.

Rhona Brankin: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Her response is as follows.

  Communities Scotland as regulator sets the regulatory framework within which all social landlords, including Glasgow Housing Association, must operate. This framework is underpinned by the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 and published guidance. Following registration in 2003, Communities Scotland has worked closely with GHA to ensure it is able to meet its commitments to tenants, and is clear on the full range of regulatory requirements. Inspection is used to ensure that there is a public reporting of the progress being made by GHA and the first post-registration inspection is currently underway. The results of the inspection will be published later in the year.

Housing

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether any inspections of Glasgow Housing Association have taken place or are in the process of taking place and, if so, when and under what remit and terms of reference they commenced, what the outcomes have been, and whether their reports have been or will be made public.

Rhona Brankin: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Her response is as follows:

  The first inspection of Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) is currently underway by Communities Scotland. The remit and terms of reference derive from the Housing Scotland Act 2001, Sections 69 and 70, and Communities Scotland’s published procedures for inspection. The specific remit for the GHA inspection is to provide an independent external assessment of the effectiveness of the organisation, its delivery against transfer commitments and to make recommendations to help improvement.

  The inspection report will be published later in the year.

Housing

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to issue a final report of the ministerial task force on second stage housing stock transfer in Glasgow.

Rhona Brankin: The joint team report, published in December 2006, provides an analysis of the issues surrounding second stage transfer in Glasgow. Following this report, my predecessor set out a clear framework to take the transfer process forward, which the Scottish Executive is working through with all the key organisations. Copies of both the report and the ministerial response are available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. numbers 42096 and 42097).

  The Ministerial Progress Group on second stage transfer in Glasgow has provided a helpful forum for the key organisations to meet but it is not intended that it will produce a written report.

Housing

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many vulnerable households were living in non-decent homes in (a) 1996, (b) 2001, (c) 2004 and (d) the latest year for which figures are available, broken down by tenure.

Rhona Brankin: We do not collect data on vulnerable households living in non-decent homes. They are specific measures used in England and are therefore the responsibility of the Department of Communities and Local Government. The closest comparative data for Scotland is that there were approximately 460,000 households in receipt of at least one of the principal means tested or disability related benefits living in houses which failed the Scottish House Quality Standard in 2003-04. The following table shows the number of such households broken down by tenure:

  

 Owner-Occupier
 LA/Other Public
 HA/Co-op
 Private-Rented
 Total


 121,000
 200,000
 108,000
 34,000
 462,000



  Source: Scottish House Condition Survey 2003-04.

Housing Benefits

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether a local authority is able to deduct alleged community charge arrears from housing benefit payments without recourse to the individual concerned and, if so, what legislation applies in such circumstances.

George Lyon: Although benefits is a reserved matter, I understand that a local authority is not permitted to deduct community charge arrears from housing benefit payments. The only debts that can be recovered from on-going payments of housing benefit are housing benefit overpayments.

Human Trafficking

Trish Godman (West Renfrewshire) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions it has had with appropriate voluntary organisations, other interested parties and police forces anent the care and treatment of women and children who have been rescued from human traffickers.

Johann Lamont: Executive officials are in regular contact through a number of fora with organisations which have an interest in the care and treatment of victims of human trafficking. These include local authorities, police forces, the Home Office and non-governmental organisations. The Executive is currently considering the implications for victim care of the UK Government’s recent decision to sign the Council of Europe Convention Against Trafficking in Human Beings, in consultation with these groups.

Ministerial Events

Ms Maureen Watt (North East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive which organisations have held events at Bute House since 1999, also showing how many events were held by each organisation.

Mr Tom McCabe: Official events held at Bute House are always hosted by an Executive minister and organised by the Scottish Executive. Since 1999, very occasionally a charity has held a private event at Bute House, hosted by the First Minister. No charity has done so more than once. All costs associated with such events would be met by the charity and as these events are unofficial, no record of them is held by the Scottish Executive.

National Parks

Chris Ballance (South of Scotland) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive what the procedure will be for assessing bids for coastal and marine national park status and what the projected timescale is for assessments.

Ross Finnie: The report on the responses to the Executive’s consultation on Scotland’s first Coastal and Marine National Park was published on 1 March 2007.

  The report shows strong support, in principle, for a coastal and marine national park to be established in Scotland. The consultation has, however, also raised some serious concerns.

  No decisions have yet been made. We will seek to address the issues arising from the consultation, and I plan to make a further announcement on the way forward during March.

Nursery Education

Dr Sylvia Jackson (Stirling) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many three-year-olds in the Stirling local authority area have benefited from the implementation of the provisions on universal nursery education in the Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc. Act 2000.

Robert Brown: Information on the number of three-year-olds in the Stirling local authority area that have benefited from nursery education is not held centrally. The following table shows the number of registrations for pre-school education in Stirling of children in their ante-pre-school year since 2002. This is the closest equivalent measure.

  Please note the following:

  1. The numbers relate to children registered with pre-school providers that are situated within Stirling, rather than children living in the Stirling council area.

  2. Children are counted once for each centre they are registered with, and there is a possibility of some double counting.

  2. The methodology used has differed across years so the figures are not directly comparable.

  3. Where pre-school centres did not provide information, data have been imputed.

  Table: Estimated Number Registrations for Ante-Pre-School Education, Stirling Council

  

 January 2002
 814


 January 2003
 812


 January 2004
 879


 January 2005
 806


 January 2006
 852

Race Relations

Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Commission for Human Rights will be subject to the (a) general duty, (b) specific duty to publish a race equality scheme or (c) specific duty on employment under the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.

Rhona Brankin: The imposition of the general duty is a reserved matter, but specific duties are a matter for Scottish ministers. The list of devolved bodies subject to these duties is usually reviewed annually in liaison with Whitehall colleagues. What duties are appropriate for the Scottish Commission for Human Rights will be considered in due course and the commission will be fully consulted.

Race Relations

Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission will be subject to the (a) general duty, (b) specific duty to publish a race equality scheme or (c) specific duty on employment under the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.

Rhona Brankin: The imposition of the general duty is a reserved matter, but specific duties are a matter for Scottish ministers. The list of devolved bodies subject to these duties is usually reviewed annually in liaison with Whitehall colleagues. What duties are appropriate for the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission will be considered in due course and the commission will be fully consulted.

Racial Equality

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-31849 by Rhona Brankin on 26 February 2007, what types of target and measurement mechanism will be included in its national race equality strategy and action plan.

Rhona Brankin: These are issues for consideration in the further development of the national strategy and action plan so I am not in a position to confirm at this time, but I can say that progress measures, timescales, monitoring and reporting arrangements are key in the successful delivery of the strategy and will therefore feature.

Racial Equality

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how resources will be allocated to each part of its forthcoming national race equality strategy and action plan.

Rhona Brankin: The national strategy and action plan will set out priority actions for the Executive and others, and the Executive will be committed to ensuring its effective delivery and implementation, including identifying the resources required.

Roads

Dr Sylvia Jackson (Stirling) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what funding has been made available to Stirling Council in 2006-07 for the improvement of local roads.

Tavish Scott: Stirling Council were allocated £5.132 million in 2006-07 for the maintenance of local roads through the local government finance distribution methodology. This allocation is, however, neither a budget nor a spending target for the maintenance of local roads. It is simply a component used in distributing the total block grant that the Scottish Executive provides to local authorities. It is for each local authority to decide how best to allocate the resulting overall block grant across all their services, based on local needs and priorities.

Schools

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many school playgrounds were sold in each of the last 10 years, broken down by local authority.

Hugh Henry: The information is not collected centrally.

Scottish Environment Protection Agency

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-31639 by Sarah Boyack on 15 February 2007, how much was spent on consultants by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) in each of the last six years for which figures are available.

Sarah Boyack: This is an operational matter for SEPA. I have asked Dr Campbell Gemmell, Chief Executive of SEPA, to respond to the question direct.

Scottish Executive Advertising

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-31839 by Hugh Henry on 28 February 2007, whether it will answer the second part of the question in relation to the cost of advertising the helpline.

Hugh Henry: Further to my answer to question S2W-31839 on 28 February 2007, no significant costs were incurred by either advertising the helpline on the Scottish Executive website or by issuing a news release. £111.28 was paid to INCAS to meet the costs of a mailing to its membership.

  All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service

Shona Robison (Dundee East) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is a shortage of immunoglobulin for intravenous use.

Shona Robison (Dundee East) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is a shortage of pooled plasma products.

Shona Robison (Dundee East) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the closure of the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service’s Protein Fractionation Centre will have on the supply of plasma products.

Mr Andy Kerr: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-31997 on 7 March 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search .

Scottish Youth Parliament

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what cognisance it has taken of the follow-up to the review of the Scottish Youth Parliament by HM Inspectorate of Education and Audit Scotland.

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken as a result of the follow-up to the review of the Scottish Youth Parliament by HM Inspectorate of Education and Audit Scotland.

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to support the Scottish Youth Parliament towards achieving the main points for action identified in the follow-up to the review of the Scottish Youth Parliament by HM Inspectorate of Education and Audit Scotland.

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what resources have been budgeted for projects arising from the findings of the review of the Scottish Youth Parliament by HM Inspectorate of Education and Audit Scotland.

Robert Brown: This will form part of the work plan for the Scottish Youth Parliament for 2007-08, which has still to be agreed.

Scottish Youth Parliament

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what funding has been given to the Scottish Youth Parliament in each year since 1999, broken down into (a) core and (b) project funding.

Robert Brown: The information on funding up to 2006 is available on the Scottish Executive website at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/FOI/Disclosures/2006/06/youthparli .

  A further £251,125 was made available in 2006-07 for core activities and £25,000 in capital funding.

Scottish Youth Parliament

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what level of core funding is projected for the Scottish Youth Parliament over the next three years.

Robert Brown: The Scottish Youth Parliament will receive £250,000 in 2007-08. The future level of funding is still to be determined.

Scottish Youth Parliament

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it expects the Scottish Youth Parliament to seek funding from additional sources.

Robert Brown: That is a matter for the Scottish Youth Parliament, which is an independent organisation.

Scottish Youth Parliament

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive which of its departments administers relations with the Scottish Youth Parliament.

Robert Brown: The Education Department.

Scottish Youth Parliament

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive from which budget headings and sub-headings the Scottish Youth Parliament is funded.

Robert Brown: The Scottish Youth Parliament is funded through the Children, Young People and Families Unified Voluntary Sector Fund, which forms part of the Children and Families budget line.

Scottish Youth Parliament

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how it ensures that the Scottish Youth Parliament maintains independence from the Executive.

Robert Brown: The Scottish Executive has supported the Scottish Youth Parliament to develop a legal structure that ensures that it is run by its members. We have always been clear that while we have a legitimate public interest in ensuring that grant funding is spent appropriately in accordance with grant conditions and an agreed work plan, the Scottish Executive has no interest in seeking to influence the views of the Scottish Youth Parliament.

Social Work

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will direct the Social Work Inspection Agency to inspect Scottish Borders Council’s Social Work Department, particularly in respect of changes to its assessment criteria for care packages which initially led to the hours of care provided to some vulnerable adults being reduced by half and then increased when the changes became public.

Robert Brown: No. The Social Work Inspection Agency will carry out a full performance inspection of social work services at Scottish Borders Council in 2008.

Social Work

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-31673 by Robert Brown on 19 February 2007, whether it will provide the annual local financial returns for social work expenditure and income in respect of services for older people in Argyll and Bute from 1999-2000.

Robert Brown: The main breakdown of social work expenditure and income in respect of services for older people in Argyll and Bute obtained from the annual local financial returns is detailed in the following tables.

  Argyll and Bute Council - LFR 3 (Social Work) Older Persons (£000)

  

 
 1999-2000
 2000-01
 2001-02


 Expenditure 
 
 
 


 Employee Costs
 2,581
 3,045
 3,559


 Operating Costs
 0
 0
 0


 : Third party payments to private persons or companies
 1,904
 2,527
 1


 : Third party payments to voluntary bodies
 15
 0
 0


 : Other accounts within the authority
 0
 94
 114


 : Other Local Authorities
 0
 0
 0


 : Health Boards and Trusts
 143
 131
 173


 : Other Public Bodies
 0
 8
 3,111


 : Other operating costs
 991
 1,165
 1,154


 Total Operating Costs
 3,053
 3,925
 4,553


 Transfer payments
 
 
 


 : Grants to private persons or organisations
 0
 0
 0


 : Grants to voluntary bodies
 0
 4
 0


 : Other transfer payments
 0
 0
 0


 Total Transfer Payments
 0
 4
 0


 Total Gross Expenditure
 5,634
 6,974
 8,111


 Income
 
 
 


 Grants (other than RSG)
 
 
 


 : Specific Grants
 0
 0
 0


 : Other Grants
 113
 114
 247


 Total Grants
 113
 114
 247


 Rents, fees and charges
 750
 674
 688


 Sales
 9
 8
 9


 Other accounts within the authority
 0
 31
 70


 Other Local Authorities
 0
 0
 0


 Health Boards and Trusts
 0
 117
 200


 Other Public bodies
 1
 0
 0


 Interest and Other Income
 29
 11
 83


 Total Income
 902
 955
 1,297


 Distribution Of RCC and Support Service Costs
 
 
 


 Revenue contributions to capital (RCC)
 0
 0
 0


 Support service costs
 324
 278
 304


 Total Net Expenditure Met from Council Tax, Non-Domestic Rates and Revenue Support Grant
 5,056
 6,297
 7,119



  Argyll and Bute Council - LFR 3 (Social Work) Older Persons (£000)

  

 
 2002-03
 2003-04
 2004-05
 2005-06


 Expenditure
 
 
 
 


 Employee Costs
 9,691
 9,020
 9,968
 10,227


 Operating Costs 
 9,783
 17,654
 19,626
 12,271


 Third-party payments (gross)
 8,450
 14,149
 15,836
 10,999


 Gross payments to private persons
 0
 102
 276
 0


 Gross payments to private companies
 10
 1
 49
 0


 Gross payments to voluntary bodies
 0
 45
 60
 39


 Gross payments to Health Authorities
 218
 299
 329
 409


 Gross payments to other local authorities
 5
 0
 0
 0


 All other Third party payments
 8,217
 13,702
 15,122
 10,551


 Premises, transport, supplies and services and other operating costs
 1,333
 3,505
 3,790
 1,272


 Transfer payments
 152
 120
 132
 0


 Grants to private persons or organisations
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Grants to voluntary bodies
 144
 120
 132
 0


 Other transfer payments
 8
 0
 0
 0


 Support Services
 626
 586
 725
 3,476


 Total Gross Expenditure
 20,252
 27,380
 30,451
 25,974


 Income
 
 
 
 


 Specific Grants
 167
 15
 207
 158


 Other Central Government Grants (excl RSG)
 0
 4,411
 6,382
 0


 Sales, Rents, Fees and Charges
 1,289
 1,770
 1,781
 1,623


 Income from charges to service users
 1,177
 1,764
 1,572
 1,623


 Other
 112
 6
 209
 0


 Other Income
 1,740
 2,610
 2,435
 3,055


 Contributions from other local authorities
 0
 0
 0
 100


 Recharges (income from other accounts within the authority)
 1,740
 2,610
 2,435
 2,955


 All other grants, reimbursements and contributions
 338
 1,075
 1,406
 1,734


 Contributions from Health Authorities
 292
 1,075
 1,406
 1,730


 Other grants, reimbursements and contributions
 46
 0
 0
 4


 Total Income
 3,534
 9,881
 12,211
 6,570


 Net revenue expenditure 
 16,718
 17,499
 18,240
 19,404


 Capital Charges
 667
 440
 726
 482


 Net Revenue Expenditure Including Capital Charges
 17,385
 17,939
 18,966
 19,886


 Revenue Contributions to Capital (RCC)
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Net Revenue Expenditure Including RCC (Excluding Capital Charges)
 16,718
 17,499
 18,240
 19,404


 Add back specific grants 
 167
 15
 207
 158


 FRS 17
 N/A
 9
 274
 284


 Net Revenue Expenditure Including RCC (Excl Capital Charges) with Specific Grants Added Back
 16,885
 17,514
 18,447
 19,562

Teachers

Ms Maureen Watt (North East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have entered teacher training in each year since 1999, broken down by (a) gender, (b) ethnic background and (c) disability.

Nicol Stephen: The following tables include entrants to initial teacher training courses at Scottish higher education institutions (HEIs) leading to registration as a school teacher with the General Teaching Council for Scotland. This includes those studying at postgraduate level (PGCE) and first degree level which consists of Bachelor of Education courses and programmes leading concurrently to a degree and a teaching qualification. Entrants to concurrent courses can obtain a degree with or without a teaching qualification.

  Entrants to Teacher Training Courses at Scottish HEIs by Gender

  

 
 1999-2000
 2000-01
 2001-02
 2002-03
 2003-04
 2004-05
 2005-06


 Female 
 1,820
 1,955
 2,400
 2,175
 2,350
 2,885
 3,560


 Male
 545
 600
 685
 700
 730
 960
 1,195


 Total
 2,365
 2,555
 3,085
 2,875
 3,085
 3,845
 4,760



  Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency.

  Note: All numbers have been rounded to the nearest 5. Figures include foreign nationals.

  Entrants to Teacher Training Courses at Scottish HEIs by Ethnicity

  

 
 1999-2000
 2000-01
 2001-02
 2002-03
 2003-04
 2004-05
 2005-06


 Refused/not known
 580
 545
 490
 305
 310
 545
 370


 White
 1,765
 1,980
 2,540
 2,515
 2,725
 3,225
 4,285


 Black African
 0
 0
 5
 0
 5
 5
 5


 Black Other
 0
 0
 0
 0
 5
 5
 0


 Indian
 5
 5
 5
 10
 5
 5
 10


 Pakistani
 5
 10
 15
 15
 10
 20
 25


 Bangladeshi
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 5
 5


 Chinese
 0
 0
 5
 5
 5
 5
 5


 Other Asian
 0
 0
 0
 5
 0
 5
 5


 Other
 10
 10
 15
 15
 15
 25
 45


 Total
 2,365
 2,555
 3,085
 2,875
 3,085
 3,845
 4,760



  Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency.

  Note: All numbers have been rounded to the nearest 5. Figures include foreign nationals.

  Entrants to Teacher Training Courses at Scottish HEIs by Disability

  

 
 1999-2000
 2000-01
 2001-02
 2002-03
 2003-04
 2004-05
 2005-06


 No Known Disability
 2,155
 2,315
 2,885
 2,730
 2,925
 3,660
 4,540


 Dyslexia
 15
 25
 25
 35
 50
 55
 70


 Blind/Partially Sighted
 5
 0
 5
 0
 5
 5
 10


 Deaf/Hearing Impared
 5
 10
 0
 5
 10
 10
 5


 Wheelchair User/Mobility Difficulties
 0
 0
 0
 5
 5
 5
 5


 Mental Health Difficulties
 0
 5
 0
 0
 5
 0
 10


 An Unseen Disability
 30
 40
 45
 40
 55
 65
 75


 Multiple Disabilities
 0
 0
 0
 5
 5
 5
 5


 Other Disability
 10
 15
 15
 20
 10
 20
 35


 Information Not Sought/Known
 145
 145
 105
 35
 15
 25
 5


 Total
 2,365
 2,555
 3,085
 2,875
 3,085
 3,845
 4,760



  Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency.

  Note: All numbers have been rounded to the nearest 5. Figures include foreign nationals. The "Unseen Disability" category includes diabetes, epilepsy and asthma.

Young People

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how it ensures that young people influence national policy.

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how it ensures that government policy reflects the views and opinions of young people.

Robert Brown: Young people are regularly involved in policy development in a variety of ways. This includes consultation papers specifically targeted at young people, as for example in the recent youth work strategy consultation. Alternatively, it may involve focus groups with young people either organised directly by the Scottish Executive or through other organisations. It may also involve young people’s direct involvement in working groups. In addition, the Scottish Executive provides funding to Young Scot to ensure that young people are aware of opportunities to have their views heard and are encouraged to take part. We also fund the Scottish Youth Parliament to consult with young people and to convey those views directly to ministers and officials on issues of concern to them.

Young People

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how it ensures that young people are involved in decision-making at local and national level.

Robert Brown: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-32115 on 12 March 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search .

  In addition, we have introduced legislation that requires the involvement of young people, including a requirement contained in the Statutory Guidance on Community Planning. We have also issued National Standards on Community Engagement and an Advice Note on consulting with young people through the Community Planning process, including good practice and a list of contacts and resources. This note can be found at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/11/09140609/0.

Young People

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many children’s centres there were in each of the last five years, broken down by local authority area.

Robert Brown: This information is not held centrally.

Young People

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many youth centres were (a) sold, (b) closed or (c) opened in each of the last five years, broken down by local authority area.

Robert Brown: The information requested is not held centrally.